St. Demetrius Development Corp.

We are proud to share that our organization, i.e., St. Demetrius Development Corp. has been recognized as one of the 2026 Best Workplaces™ for Professional Development by Great Place to Work®, a global research and consulting company focused on workplace culture.

We celebrated this wonderful recognition together with our staff over a special Caribbean-style coffee break — and the smiles, laughter and warmth captured beautifully the spirit behind this recognition.

While we received this recognition in 2026, it reflects many years of dedicated leadership, nurturing an organizational culture built on competence, integrity, compassion and learning.

To our staff: this recognition belongs to each and everyone of you. Thank you for the heart, skill and commitment you bring to our organization every day.

And to everyone who stands behind our work — our donors and volunteers thank you for giving us the confidence and inspiration to continue learning, growing, innovating and striving for excellence together. ❤️

What a musical gift to our residents! 🎶

We had the great honour and pleasure of welcoming Ukrianian soprano Justyna Bluj to our Care Centre for a very special live performance.

Justyna is an accomplished young singer with an international career in opera and chamber music, and has performed in many countries in Europe including Switzerland, Germany, France, abd the Netherlands. She is based inWarsaw, Poland, and sings for the apomost recently has been performing the role of Marysia in Hołos, the first opera in the Lemko language.

For our residents, Justyna chose Ukrainian classics by Myroslav Skoryk, Yaroslav Yaroslavenko and Viktor Matiuk — composers from different generations whose works are part of Ukraine’s rich classical and art-song heritage.

Her connection to Ukrainian music is also deeply personal and scholarly. Justyna is pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Rzeszów, where her research explores the solo art songs of 20th-century Ukrainian composers. During her time in Toronto, she is also an Artist-in-Residence with the Ukrainian Art Song Summer Institute at The Royal Conservatory of Music.

There was a very personal reason Justyna wanted to visit our Home. Her aunt, Halina Krzywucka, is one of our nurses who has worked in the Care Centre since its very beginning, over 30 years ago.

"I wanted to come here because my aunt works here, and I know how much this place means to her. My aunt speaks about the residents with such warmth and affection! I have come to understand this as a place of kindness, compassion and living Ukrainian culture.”

And when we asked Justyna whether she includes Ukrainian songs in her performances as she travels, and why, her answer was deeply touching:

“Because this is my soul.”

Thank you, Justyna, for sharing your remarkable voice and your love for Ukrainian music with our residents and family members, and thank you, Halina, for bringing this very special musical gift to our Home. 💙💛

We're delighted to share a glimpse of Justyna's performance with you. Take a listen.

Dance took centre stage at the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre!

Seventeen talented young dancers from Studio 24 Dance Company took us on a captivating journey through the fascinating world of dance, from the timeless elegance of classical ballet to the vibrant energy of modern dance. It was a spectacular afternoon of artistry, enthusiasm and creative expression that left no one untouched.

Hearts were melted, smiles grew wider with every performance, and enthusiastic applause followed each dance. For a little while, many seemed to rediscover the carefree spirit of youth, carried away by the beauty, energy, and joy unfolding before them.

Studio 24 Dance is owned by Kira Fedak, whose grandmother, Natalia Gula, became a resident of our Care Centre just one day earlier. While the transition to long-term care is never easy, this touching gesture of love made Natalia's first days especially warm, while also bringing joy to our other residents.

After the performance, the young dancers gathered around baba Natalia for a photo, thanked her for the opportunity to perform, and shared how excited they are to return and dance for our residents again.

Our heartfelt thanks to Kira and all 17 wonderful dancers for sharing their remarkable talent and enthusiasm with our Care Centre family.

Moments like these nurture a warm sense of belonging and community, bringing generations together to share joy, celebrate one another, and create lasting connections.

Heartwarming words from a family member. We're deeply touched.

Greetings from Ward's Island! ☀️🌿⛴️

What can beat a warm summer day by the water? Sunshine, fresh air, a gentle lake breeze—and our residents experienced it all.

On a beautiful summer morning, they stepped aboard the ferry and soon found themselves gliding across Toronto Harbour. With the fresh breeze, the shimmering water, and Toronto's skyline slowly fading into the distance, the journey itself felt like a little summer cruise.

Soon, they arrived on the shores of Ward's Island, where they enjoyed a leisurely stroll through this island oasis, and a visit to the Sunshine Centre, a welcoming seasonal gathering place for older adults. There, our residents met fellow seniors, enjoyed music, lively conversations, and the warm, uplifting sense of togetherness.

It is thanks to everyone who supports our Quality of Life Programs that we are able to offer our residents such wonderful experiences.

A very special thank you to the Rotary Club of Parkdale–High Park–Humber for their generous support. Their commitment to our Quality of Life programs allows us to offer special and unique experiences like this, enriching the lives of our residents throughout the year.

Last but certainly not least, a heartfelt thank you to our staff and volunteers for accompanying our residents, ensuring that every resident feels safe, included, and surrounded by warmth, kindness, and loving care, so they can fully enjoy each outing.

These wonderful experiences are what make summer so special for our residents. And we simply can never get enough of their smiles—as bright as the summer sunshine we all love so much. ☀️💙

On Sunday, June 21, we gathered to honour the fathers, grandfathers, and father-figures.

Residents, families, and staff came together in our Atrium for an afternoon of Ukrainian music, shared stories, and warm conversations across generations.

To every father and father figure among us—thank you for your strength, wisdom, and love, and for the care, guidance, and encouragement you so generously share each day. Your presence makes a lasting difference in the lives of those around you.

Happy Father's Day!

Кожному батькові та чоловікові-наставникові серед нас — щиро дякуємо за вашу силу, мудрість і любов, а також за турботу, підтримку й натхнення, якими ви так щедро ділитеся щодня. Ваш присутність залишаe глибокий слід у житті тих, хто поруч.

З Днем Батька.